Method and system for providing a secure multi-user portable database

Abstract

A system and method for providing, managing, and accessing a multi-user secure portable database using secure memory cards is provided. The database has a secure portion for storing security keys and a non-secure portion for encrypted data files. Access to the encrypted data files is controlled by assigning access rights through an access control matrix to each encrypted data file according to a hierarchical structure of users. A user requesting access is identified in the hierarchy, associated with a key for allowing the requested access, and the requested access allowed to a file in accordance with the rights allocated through the access control matrix. A patient can selectively grant access to encrypted medical records on his card to a physician. Authentication of the owner / patient is preferably required. Other records required by emergency medical personnel are readable from the same card without requiring permission from the patient.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates generally to a system and method for providing a secure, portable database and, more particularly, to a system and method for providing the secure storage of and hierarchical multi-user access to privatized data on a portable database. BACKGROUND [0002] Conventionally, portable storage of data has been commercially available for electronically strong text, such as addresses and phone numbers, or for simple storage and access of a common type of digital media, such as music. These databases, commonly provided on flash memory cards or Universal Serial Bus (USB) tokens have nominal or no built-in security, since the intended use is for non-sensitive data storage and access for a single user. In other words, these products do not provide for the portable storage of secure, privatized data, and a means for multiple parties to access such protected data in a controlled way. There is a need for a portable, multi-user, secure database and a system and me...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010] These and other prior art systems and methods for providing a medical database, which include server-based storage, low-tech compact disc (CD) formats, or low-memory smart cards, have at least the following limitations. The server-based solutions do not allow off-line access to the data, the low-memory smart cards have very limited storage capability and are generally used only as identification tokens, and

Problems solved by technology

In other words, these products do not provide for the portable storage of secure, privatized data, and a means for multiple parties to access such protected data in a controlled way.

As a result, physicians do not have easy routine access to the patient's general medical records except for what they themselves produce.

In addition, patients going from one health care provider to another usually do not have the relevant records and test results with them.

This system results in a number of major problems including delays in diagnosis and treatment, inefficient use of time and resources, unnecessary repetition of tests, and errors in medical practices that could lead to thousands of deaths each year.

Finally, the physician's lack of immediate access to patient information also encourages fraud and abuse of our current health care system.

The consequences of such abuse are increased insurance premiums, and, therefore, increased cost to the consumer.

Though some attempts have been made to implement an accessible electronic medical information system, none of them provide the accessibility, security, and portability needed to address the current problems in our health care system.

Should the network fail, the access to the data will be lost.

In addition, access to such a host-based database requires access to another provider's system or another insurance company's database, which may not be easily accessible due to business reasons.

The data is not otherwise protected or secure, and there is no mechanism for a patient to selectively authorize a physician access to particular data records saved on the card.

In summary, none of these systems provide a database that is portable and easily accessible to both health care providers and patients within an environment that adequately protects the patient's privacy.

The server-based solutions do not allow off-line access to the data, the low-memory smart cards have very limited storage capability and are generally used only as identification tokens, and CDs are neither easy to use nor flexible enough to handle the necessary security requirements.

Other limitations of the prior art include the inability to provide integrated data across multiple providers, the inability for the patient (and the doctor) to have easy access to their own medical data and medical history, and the lack of a standard format where the data can be easily stored in a secure form and “mined”.

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